Hot Jazz on Interlochen Public Radio

Starting July 6, Northern Michigan residents can listen to — and study — jazz music, with rare guidance. Jazz artist, instructor and composer Jeff Haas will debut Jazz Connections, a new hour-long show on Interlochen Public Radio (IPR). His goal is to illuminate the connections between modern jazz music and many other styles and genres.

Haas will piece together different songs by providing helpful commentary. He’ll branch from the classics (Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus, and Duke Ellington) to unexpected music such as rock (Jimi Hendrix), folk (Bob Dylan) and blues (Eric Clapton). This type of comparison will help illustrate why enduring creative works are often the result of improvisation and wide-reaching inspiration. Haas also hopes to demonstrate that music helps us cross our own boundaries to understand and appreciate other cultures.

Listen to Jazz Connections on IPR (88.7 FM Interlochen; 100.9 FM East Jordan/Charlevoix; 88.5 FM Mackinaw City) at 6 p.m. on Sundays and 10 p.m. on Thursdays. Live outside IPR’s coverage area? The program will also stream online at interlochen.org/ipr.